FAQ's:

About hypnosis and hypnotherapy

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is simply a relaxed state, similar to when you might be day dreaming.  In hypnosis, your brain waves slow down from the Beta state (15-40 Hz) that we typically are in during the active day when we are thinking, planning, or doing activities, to the Alpha state (9-14 Hz), which is what we experience when we are relaxing.  The slower brain wave state helps us to be more open to our own subconscious (much like when you sleep and are able to dream).

In a study done by Harvard psychology professor Stephen M. Kosslyn, PhD, and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, participants watched images while hooked up to a PET scanner, which monitors brain activity.  They watched the same images once while hypnotized and once while in a normal state.

The study concluded that when not hypnotized, participants used only the right hemisphere of their brains. But under hypnosis, they used both the left and right hemispheres of their brains.

So it appears that hypnosis actually allows us more access to our brains.

According to the American Psychological Foundation, when in hypnosis, people remain aware of who and where they are, and they also remember what happened during the trance. 

Sometimes people think that when they come in, I will put them to sleep, and while they are sleeping, I will solve their problems. Wouldn't that be nice! Others are afraid that they will be unconscious and will not have control.

The truth is that when in hypnosis, you are simply relaxed, with better access to your own memories and emotions. You will be completely aware and fully in control of your own reactions. I will simply ask you questions and you will respond with what feels right to you. You will have more access to your own subconscious, which has the information and answers that you are looking for. You may be amazed by the richness, beauty, creativity and effectiveness of the solutions that come from your own inner resources!

How does hypnotherapy differ from hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy combines the relaxed state of hypnosis, and its ability to access the power of your subconscious, to the science of psychotherapy.

While hypnosis approaches an issue by attempting to implant an idea or suggestion in the client's mind, hypnotherapy accesses your own subconscious to solve a problem.  In hypnotherapy, you are not given suggestions, but rather empowered and guided to find the solutions that best resonate with you.